“For the state of Nebraska, from July to September, 20% of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees while 0% expected to reduce their payroll,” Joblinske says. “Another 79% expect to maintain the current workforce levels.”

While 20% of employers say they plan to make new hires in the months ahead, that figure was 30% in the previous quarter. Still, she says the numbers are very good.

“The employers are holding their own, just seeing how things play out over the next quarter,” Joblinske says. “It’s a very positive sign for us as we look ahead.”

For the upcoming quarter, she says job prospects in Nebraska appear best in industries including: construction, transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail trade, information, and leisure and hospitality services.